OCA position on the real estate tax problem
By Chris Long
Real Estate Tax Reform will be an issue that OCA will work on in 2025 with citizens groups across Ohio. Inflation and the cost of living are bearing down on our seniors, those on fixed incomes, and young families as they struggle to pay for the essentials. The increased real estate tax assessments of the last year have grown between 20% and 30% for most Ohioans. This not only affects homeowners, but rents increase when real estate taxes go up; everyone is affected. And the caps on increases that we seek will benefit everyone.
We will have a 3-pronged approach to the issue: Urging the General Assembly to act to put meaningful real estate tax reform in the budget, working with local officials to enact a self-imposed cap- giving relief to residents, and organizing for a ballot issue if local officials and legislators fail to act.
Real Estate Tax Reform
A 3-pronged approach
1. The new Speaker of the House, Matt Huffman, while Senate President last summer, made a statement after the Select Committee on Real Estate Tax Review and Reform had concluded its sessions, that any comprehensive real estate tax reform would have to take place in the new GA of 2025….the new General Assembly will have to get to work quickly with substantive reforms, bringing relief to homeowners and renters across the state on real estate tax.
2. Local government needs to be urged to not collect the increased real estate tax assessments of the last year and to stay within the budget of their previous budgetary funds and bring real relief to local residents. They can simply put a self-imposed cap on, giving a break to local homeowners in their communities.
3. Start an Initiated Statute Petition or Constitutional Amendment. If the legislature fails to act, take it to the ballot.
Things are moving quickly…we will have a Zoom call soon and will send you the details. – CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
Real Estate Tax Reform at the Ohio Statehouse – What if anything will get done this session? – CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW!
Greg Lawson of the Buckeye Institute discusses the complex challenges facing legislators as they wrestle with how to bring relief to Ohio homeowners on the real estate tax increase issue. Most residents have seen dramatic increases in their real estate taxes, between 20 and 30 percent increase across Ohio. Members of the General Assembly are hearing complaints from their constituents that they need financial relief in regard to this dramatic increase on real estate taxes. Citizens groups have been coming to the Statehouse to press the issue with members of the General Assembly.
A Select Committee on Real Estate Tax and Reform is finalizing their findings and presenting them to both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House for possible legislative resolutions to bring homeowners relief. But, with so many competing interests, the questions remains, will anything substantive get done ?
Greg Lawson explains.
Categories: Community Activism, Real Estate Taxes, State of Ohio